Monday, March 26, 2012

Mary Ann Blackburn

I found Mary Ann Blackburn's sampler on eBay, and quickly called Barb so she could see it too. Luckily we won the piece!

We decided to base this year’s Loose Feathers program on vintage samplers and Mary Ann's seemed to be the perfect one to start us off. Her sampler is pictured at the bottom of the cover shown above.

We did a reproduction of her piece and included a couple of projects reflecting elements from the original.

The long tulips on this sampler are so unusual. I love the enormous size of them in comparison to that tiny, little house. The two side borders add movement and a dash of color needed to keep this symmetrical design interesting.

We always change a few bits and pieces of an antique sampler when we do a reproduction. We often add or subtract a motif or change the color of the floss. Barb and I tried to keep the changes to a minimum as maintaining the charm of this naive piece was important to us.

The booklet will ship out to the distributors on Friday. So it should be in the shops by the end of next week.

Dave's been working in the garage again. I took a class a couple of weeks ago and poor guy has to pay the price for my education. The picture below gives you an idea of my class content.

I just purchased two bee hives and Dave glued and nailed the hives together. I'm going to paint them white this week. I'm expecting two queens and a couple thousand workers around April 15th. Will show you more after their arrival. I have to admit I'm a bit fearful as I don't want to do anything wrong. Beekeepers must be vigilant to protect the hive from the many diseases bees now face. Luckily I have a friend to help if I run into trouble.

The queen is marked by a bit of paint. This shot above is like a picture from the children's book, Where's Waldo? Can you find her? She usually has a ring of workers around her. Will keep you posted on how this venture comes along.

I am anxious to hear more about your bee keeping experiences. How neat! Years ago I read a mystery about a woman who moves to the US south west & takes over her grandfather's bee keeping enterprise. I've been fascinated since--and frustrated because I can't recall the name of the book or author. Good luck!

OH NO!!!! am I going to have to take up bee keeping now! I can't keep up with you...although I did bake cookies today and am heading out to buy craft paint to paint my hobby lobby sewing box so I can make a sewing box...just like yours!

I'm working on your Winter, Summer, Fall Loose feather sampler from last year and loving it. I have a beehive in the wall of our stone home now. Trying to figure out the best way to get them out. Good luck with your bee adventure.

I don't know why I waited to get on auto for the Loose feathers. I knew I would fall in love from the first chart and of course I have. lol! Just lovely! I'm so looking forward to this series! And the beekeeping. Wow! All I can say is you are a brave woman. Bees freak me out. lol! I do love their honey though. I hope the venture goes well for you and you are able to avoid all those diseases out there.

I love Blackbird Designs!!I just want to stitch them all, so hard to pick and choose which ones to stitch.What a wonderful adventure raising bees, my father in law was a beekeeper as well as my husbands brother. It was a wonderful experience for my children. The whole family would gather at the farm from the little ones to the oldest ones and would help harvest the honey. It was a long sticky process but I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. When my daughter was two she would stand on a crate and help crank the spinner. Enjoy your bees!!

I have to stick to making bread and am going to learn to make cheese....my sweet husband says no bees. Hope to see a new quilt book soon. If you need a good place to photograph it, please consider New Harmon, IN....Trudy

I love your new pattern book Mary Ann Blackburn. But being in Australia how do we source your new pattern? Do you have any retail shops here in Austrlia that sell your Loose Feathers patterns? Or where in the US can I buy them from?

Dear Alma, I´m visiting NYC for the first time and would like to know a nice cross stitch shop where I can find your models, can you help me please? Thanks and congratulations for your lovely patterns, also very appreciated in Europe. Tesa Vives.

Love the fact that you are getting your own bees! I spent the day, today, painting and cleaning one of my hives getting it ready for the new bees I expect April 20th.....you will do great! I have kept bees for over 10 years now...good luck-Nancy

HelloAs always, I LOVE your new heirloom projects, especially since I am an avid stitcher of historic needlework. I was wondering if you could tell me if the Spring Song Jewelry Box on the cover is available. I'm interested for myself and possibly as a program for our EGA, Dayton Chapter but wanted to see if the box is a personal keepsake or available for purchase.Thanks so much for all new ideas you provide to those of us with a passion for stitching

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Autumn Bouquet

Tending the Garden

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About Me

Blackbird Designs is 15 years old this year. Barb Adams and Alma Allen began this company in 1999 to share our love of color, pattern and fiber. Our books and patterns are available at your local quilt and cross stitch shops. Blackbird Designs also has a line of fabric with Moda. Our fabric may be found at your local quilt shop. Join us here on our blog for our latest bird-brained ideas.